Page 166 of Pucking Daddy

Lily doesn’t move.

Her little face has gone blank in that way children do when too much is happening too fast.

I crouch to her level immediately.

“Hey, bug.”

Her eyes jump to mine.

I keep my tone gentle, even though my pulse is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. “Look at me, okay?”

She swallows and nods.

“We’re sticking to the plan.”

“Remember?” I tell Lily. “We go home, you have snack, then you show me whether your unicorn has wings or if it’s one of those fancy wingless ones you invented.”

Lily blinks.

Then, so quietly I almost miss it, she says, “Mine has glitter hooves.”

Relief punches through me so fast it nearly buckles my knees.

“That’s right.” I smile at her. “And I really need to see those.”

Rachel’s grip tightens minutely around Lily’s hand.

“Lily,” she says, voice still warm but harder underneath now, “Mommy wants to spend time with you. Don’t you want that?”

Lily’s mouth trembles.

God.

I could hate Rachel for the rest of my life for trying to make her answer that question.

A teacher starts toward us from the doorway, concern written across her face, but I speak first.

Still crouched, focused only on Lily, I say, “Bug, it’s okay. You don’t have to answer that. We’re sticking to the plan, okay? You can see your mom another time. We’ll make sure it’s scheduled.”

Something flashes in Rachel’s expression then. It’s fury. Cold and sharp and quickly hidden.

“I’m her mother.”

“And right now,” I say, equally quiet, “you’re frightening her.”

Rachel’s nostrils flare.

The teacher reaches us at last. “Is everything okay here?”

Rachel turns on the charm so fast it would almost be impressive if it weren’t monstrous.

“Yes, of course. Minor misunderstanding.” She smiles lightly. “I’m Lily’s mother. I’m just taking her for the afternoon.”

I cut in quickly.

“She is not authorized for pickup today.” My voice is calm, professional. “I’m Lily’s assigned pickup, and if there’s any confusion I’m happy to walk inside with you and call Mr. Halberg right now.”

Rachel’s gaze slices to me, pure venom hidden beneath a social smile.